Tweet

Album Details

• Artist: Wilco
• Album: A Ghost Is Born
• Label: Nonesuch
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-08-24

Jeff Tweedy writes some amazing music but one thing I find funny is that even though I have loved every album that Wilco has put out, I haven't been moved to multiple listens like Being There. It was an album that just hit me on every level. It is one that I still put on to this day and fully enjoy every note. There have been songs on albums since that I have felt that way like "Heavy Metal Drummer" or "A Shot In The Arm" but I have felt no desire to put in Summer Teeth or Yankee Foxtrot Hotel on repeat. Still great albums but that certain element was missing. On A Ghost Is Born, Jim O'Rourke returns to the Wilco folds for the production duty, a task I would imagine wouldn't be easy working for Tweedy. The album starts out with the impressive "A Least That's What You Said" that builds up and leads us into the album. It kind of reminds me of the way that Being There opened. "Hell Is Chrome" has a large jazz feel to it showing that Tweedy is indeed expanding his horizons (like there was ever an issue there). Some great piano work here. One of Tweedy's "out there" moments is the monotonous but damn catchy "Spiders (Kidsmoke)". The whole song is based around one riff that repeats throughout the 10 minute track. Jeff adds just enough to the repetitive riff that it doesn't become totally boring. "Muzzle Of Bees" is a fairly quiet track but it recalls the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (without the harmonies). It ends up being one of the highlights for me. The next track, "Hummingbird", is a great track too with a happier bouncy feel to it. Again, the piano is strong here and ending off with a lot of strings coming into the mix. "Handshake Drugs" starts out a little quieter but it builds into a nice upbeat track. Unfortunately, Tweedy, as he is known to do, ends that track off with about a minute of guitar feedback. We heard a preview of this track on their digitally distributed More Like The Moon EP. "Wishful Thinking" became a favorite after a few listens. "Company In My Back" is a song that sounds familiar. I can't quite place where it's from but it does sound like something I've heard before. Back to the rock and roll on "I'm A Wheel". It is a fun track that really gets going and leaves us before the three minute mark. The next track, "Theologians" is another one I could have done without. One big downfall on the album has to be the 15 minute waste of time that Wilco calls "Less Than You Think". But with the handy feature in iTunes, I can choose the time that the song actually plays and cut it off before the incessant drone. The album leaves on a strong note too, with "The Late Greats". I think A Ghost Is Born might turn into a favorite album after time, if indeed that urge to put the thing on repeat occurs. It is a carefully crafted album with a consistent feel to it.

User Reviews and Comments

Log In or Register to Rate Albums